Feast of St. Rose in Lima, Peru
by Dismas Sayre, O.P.
The devotion here, as you can imagine, is quite spectacular. Ss. Martin de
Porres and Juan Macias can’t even begin to compare with her procession.
The first thing I noticed was that well, we didn’t celebrate in on her
feast day. Here, they’ve kept the old calendar (the 30th, not the 23rd).
Their saint, their feast day!
Friday night began with a procession from the Templo de Santo Domingo
(where her relics, along with those of Martin de Porres and Juan Macias
are in full public view) to the Cathedral. It’s a quick walk from one to
the other, but the procession went slow and solemn, to give the chance for
everyone to take a look and participate. Her image was carried by the
local Third Order chapter. About six of us friars followed behind them,
and we were all surrounded by a large contingent of the Peruvian National
Police, who claim her as a patron saint. I think their entire national
police force showed up!
As we entered the Cathedral, the cardinal graciously thanked the
Dominicans for providing Peru with such a great saint. Then, on to solemn
vespers and a homily in the packed Cathedral by the cardinal.
The next day, her feast day, was a blur of sorts. We began with Mass in
the morning at the monastery built around her home. There are two chapels.
The first Mass I went to was on the sisters’ side, and there they really
went all out with the music. I was a little surprised to hear the
recessional hymn: Handel’s Messiah “Hallelujah Chorus” in English. (The
“Gloria” was sung to “Battle Hymn of the Republic” as well, although in
Spanish). Then, Masses one after another all day until evening on the
other side. This chapel is larger, and all the pews were taken out to give
the faithful a chance to participate. “Sea of humanity” does not even
begin to describe the chapel.
As I mentioned, the monastery is around her old home. People were
celebrating for blocks around the monastery. Vendors, besides the standard
fare, sold “letters” of Santa Rosa. These sheets of paper, made to look
like fancy letters, are what many of the faithful fill out with their
petitions and throw down the well in her home. Again, “sea of humanity”
does not begin to describe the scene in her yard! Waves after waves all
day of people leaving petitions! I think all 8 million Limans showed up.
Her little hermitage is also there, separated by Plexiglas, and one can
only imagine the contrast between her time and now.
What a blessing to be in the city of so much Dominican sanctity!
(top)
